2025
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROSPECTUS
Prep 1 to Grade 6 (4-12 years)
ABOUT SJI INTERNATIONAL A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH, LEARNING AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Dear Prospective Students and Parents,
Welcome to St. Joseph’s Institution International.
We are a co-educational school with a Lasallian Catholic foundation offering a holistic, values-driven, international educational experience to a truly diverse student body of 48 nationalities rooted in the context of Singapore. Our community welcomes students, teachers, parents, friends and supporters of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.
Character education forms the essence of our Mission to enable students to learn how to learn and to live as Lasallian people for others. Our commitment extends beyond academic excellence to equip our students with the values and skills essential for becoming compassionate and responsible global citizens.
The values of Faith, Service, Community, Excellence, and Respect are at the core of our educational philosophy. These principles guide our daily interactions, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Our devoted and experienced educators create a nurturing atmosphere that encourages students to embody our school’s Vision to Learn, Inspire, and Serve. We are dedicated to instilling resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning, empowering students to strive for excellence in every facet of their lives.
We are also immensely fortunate to have an engaged parent community that plays an integral role in our students’ educational journey. Through active involvement in school initiatives and as dedicated partners in education, they greatly contribute to strengthening the bond between home and school, enriching the overall educational experience.
While this prospectus offers a glimpse into life at SJI International, we recognise that experiencing our community firsthand is invaluable. I warmly encourage you to contact our Admissions Team to arrange a visit. Witness for yourself what makes our school an inclusive, nurturing, and exceptional environment for growth, learning, and character development.
I eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you to our vibrant community.
Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC
President
Established in 2007, St. Joseph’s Institution International offers a holistic, values-driven and international educational experience to a diverse student body of over 40 nationalities rooted in the context of Singapore.
As a school with a Lasallian Catholic foundation, our community welcomes students, teachers, parents, friends and supporters of all faiths and cultural backgrounds.
Today, we celebrate a community of over 2,000 students across two schools on one campus. The Elementary School caters to expatriate children from early years Prep 1 - 2 and Grades 1 – 6 (ages 4 – 12); while the High School caters to both Singaporean and international students in Grades 7 – 12 (ages 12 – 18).
Our Values
Faith, Service, Community, Excellence, Respect.
A School of the De La Salle Brothers
While welcoming children from all backgrounds and faiths, our ethos, values and principles have a firm foundation in the Catholic faith and the tradition of the De La Salle Brothers dating back to 1680. Guided by St John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers in the Catholic Church, the Lasallian mission extends to more than a million students in over 1,100 schools around the world.
Provision for Catholic families at SJI International includes after-school catechism classes, daily prayers and weekly Mass in the school chapel, regular opportunities to attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and other celebrations to explore and deepen their faith throughout the liturgical year. We are currently supported by a Brother President and three Lasallian Brothers including a Campus Faith Coordinator on the teaching staff.
THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Learning at SJI International involves challenging and inspiring experiences inside, and ever-frequently outside, the classroom. Character development and academic excellence are valued and fostered with equal importance, nurturing a sense of self-worth and promoting a genuine love for learning amongst our students, which in turn opens the door to the best universities around the world.
Teachers communicate with students on an individual level while celebrating each student’s unique learning style, encouraging them to think and to act rather than to simply respond to the situations they encounter. The learning environment requires intellectual creativity and active class participation, providing students with opportunities for self-discovery, inspiration, exploration, and experimentation.
A strong sense of moral responsibility is reflected through an active commitment to the service of other people, particularly the least fortunate.
These broad experiences and activities aim to ensure students leave school with a spiritual dimension, as well as interests and hobbies developed through sports, adventure, the arts and digital technology.
Choice of Mainstream and Bilingual Programme
At SJI International Elementary School, we offer two distinctive curriculum programmes to cater to the diverse needs of our students. The Mainstream Programme emphasises English as the primary language of instruction, ensuring a strong foundation in the language, while also incorporating Chinese (or Spanish in Grades 5 and 6) lessons as a valuable component of the learning experience.
On the other hand, our Bilingual Programme provides an immersive dual language experience, with instruction delivered in both English and Chinese. This programme is designed to foster bilingualism, offering students a unique opportunity to develop proficiency in both languages from an early age.
Whichever programme is chosen, our dedicated educators are committed to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment that nurtures the academic and linguistic growth of each student. To achieve our Vision, Mission and Values, we have developed a curriculum that synthesizes the best of innovative thinking with the best of traditional practice.
MAINSTREAM PROGRAMME
Our teachers continuously adapt and enhance instruction and pedagogy to ensure learning is relevant and responsive to our international community, and to ensure we are able to support all learners. Our learners are engaged, empowered, and globally minded.
International Primary Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is an engaging curriculum designed to develop globally competent learners who develop an informed and critical perspective, and who are empowered to take action within the world.
The International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) in Grade 6 challenges our students to think more broadly and to connect subjects and themes in innovative ways. Centred on a big idea or conceptual theme, students are guided to make meaning through a personal and global perspective.
Both the IPC and IMYC challenge our students through rigorous subject, personal, and international learning goals, supporting them through the research and inquiry process to develop deep conceptual understanding.
Language Arts
Our approach to Language Arts develops avid, lifelong and independent readers, and inspired writers who have purpose, voice and agency. Our students are effective communicators and critical thinkers who are able to analyse, understand and build relationships with the world around them.
The Language Arts curriculum is designed to ensure that our students have a firm foundation in the language conventions of phonics, spelling, comprehension skills, grammar and handwriting. This underpins the learning and development that takes place across all our subjects. Essential to this programme is teaching through the Readers and Writers Workshop approach, which provide an authentic experience for students to bring together all of their skills, knowledge and understanding.
Health and Well-being
Is a subject that is both taught through the IPC/IMYC and as a discrete subject to support the physical, mental, emotional and social health of our students.
Curriculum Pathway
Mathematics
Our Singapore Maths curriculum emphasises the development of problem-solving skills that lead to conceptual understanding and reasoning. We believe that mathematics is a language that is used to support thinking in a logical way, and help us explore and understand the world. These skills are vital to our students who are living in an age of innovation, invention and scientific discovery.
Digital Technologies
This is integrated across all subjects as an innovative tool for learning to support research, creative thinking and communication. Digital Citizenship skills are taught to ensure our students are able to engage in responsibility and to succeed as digital learners.
Specialists
Specialist subjects such as Physical Education, Music, Art & Design Technology and Religious & Moral Education form part of the weekly timetable.
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The SJI International Bilingual Programme is dedicated to fostering proficiency in two languages, English and Chinese. Our programme caters to both native and non-native speakers, implementing a ten-day teaching cycle for students that strategically divides the language of instruction by subject area and time. The alternating language instruction ensures a balanced commitment to both English and Chinese language development.
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
BILINGUAL PROGRAMME
CURRICULUM
International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
IPC is the integrated study of History, Georgraphy and Science. The Bilingual Programme retains identical units as the Mainstream Programme. However, what sets our approach apart is that students engage with these concepts through both the Chinese and English Languages and cultural lens. This provides a unique educational experience,allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum from diverse linguistic and cultural perspectives. By exploring content in both languages, students benefit from a more holistic and culturally enriched learning environment.
Language Arts
Mathematics
Through the Singapore Mathematics curriculum the Bilingual Programme maintains alignment with the Mainstream Programme. The key distinction lies in our bilingual approach, with instruction delivered in both Chinese and English. This unique approach not only provides students with proficiency in mathematical concepts but also offers exposure to diverse methodologies drawn from both Western and Eastern educational traditions. By integrating these varied perspectives, we aim to enrich students’ learning experiences and foster a comprehensive understanding of mathematical principles from global viewpoints.
Two Way Immersion (TWI) Bilingual
• Exceptional Bilingual Educators
Education Model
• Balanced distribution of language instruction.
• Aims to develop proficiency in both languages for all students.
Ten-Day Cycle with Alternating Language Instruction
• Curriculum organised in a ten-day cycle with alternating language instruction.
• Provides consistency and balance in exposure to both languages.
Bi-Literate, Bi-Cultural, Bi-Thinking
• Bi-Literate: Students to become proficient in reading and writing in both languages.
• Bi-Cultural: Students gain understanding and appreciation of cultures associated with both languages.
• Bi-Thinking: Students develop cognitive flexibility and critical thinking skills through engagement with diverse linguistic and cultural perspectives.
• Our educators excel in the target language with authenticity and proficiency.
• Every class has both a Homeroom teacher and an Assistant teacher for comprehensive language support.
Globally Recognised Curriculums
• Our Bilingual Programme curriculum is designed to be dynamic and internationally recognised.
• Commitment to high educational standards.
Cultural Exposure from Both East and West
• Our educational experience includes diverse cultural elements from Eastern and Western perspectives.
• Broadens students’ cultural awareness and understanding.
The Language Arts (English) programme seamlessly aligns with the curriculum of the Mainstream Programme, setting itself apart through its rigorous standards, a result of its immersive and time-intensive nature. Our approach is crafted to cultivate enthusiastic, lifelong, and independent readers, as well as inspired writers with purpose, voice, and agency. The programme is designed to provide students with an immersive and enriched experience in English language and literature.
The Language Arts (Chinese) programme aligns with the Chinese National Curriculum standards for both language and literature. In addition to covering the mandated curriculum, our programme integrates intensive reading and writing modules. We emphasise the importance of recreational reading as a means to enhance conceptual understanding and support students in their social studies and science learning endeavours. By incorporating a wellrounded approach that goes beyond the basic standards, we strive to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in Chinese language and literature.
Health and Well-being
Is a subject that is both taught through the IPC/IMYC and as a discrete subject to support the physical, mental, emotional and social health of our students.
Digital Technologies
This is integrated across all subjects as an innovative tool for learning to support research, creative thinking and communication. Digital Citizenship skills are taught to ensure our students are able to engage in responsibility and to succeed as digital learners.
Specialists
In the Bilingual Programme, we maintain consistent standards with the Mainstream Programme for specialist subjects. Nevertheless, in the case of Physical Education, Music, and Art & Design Technology, our unique approach is defined by bilingualism. Students actively engage with both Chinese and English to explore these subjects. Additionally, we enhance the curriculum by seamlessly integrating elements of Chinese culture, thereby nurturing a profound connection to the cultural context.
OUR CAMPUS
Our beautiful, landscaped 7-hectare campus is centrally located in the Thomson suburbs, easily accessible by both public and private transport.
Students and staff can get to school via our Thomson Road Entrance or Toa Payoh West Entrance. The Toa Payoh West Entrance is a 5-minute walk from Caldecott MRT Station and Bus Stop 52559, which serves Bus 235.
The school’s facilities encourage maximum engagement and provide inspiring learning spaces. In the Elementary School, we have the Cecilia Creative Arts Centre consisting 2 Music Rooms, 4 Practice Rooms, 2 Art Rooms, an ICT suite and separate recording studio and a Multi-Purpose Room. All students in Grades 1 - 6 are provided with an individual Chromebook, whilst Prep 1 and Prep 2 students have 1:1 iPads to enhance their learning.
The Lawrence Da Silva Sports Complex includes a 25m swimming pool, indoor sports hall, fitness room and rock climbing wall. Outdoors, the school offers dedicated courts for basketball, netball and tennis, and two large FIFA and IRB-approved turf fields for track and field enthusiasts.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
UNDERPINNED
PROJECTTM
The Virtues ProjectTM enables us to address not only our Lasallian values, but also to meet the personal development goals at the heart of the International Primary Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum.
More information on The Virtues ProjectTM is available at www.virtuesproject.com
Assertiveness
Caring Cleanliness Commitment
Compassion Confidence Consideration Cooperation Courage Courtesy Creativity Detachment Determination Diligence Enthusiasm Excellence Flexibility Forgiveness
Friendliness Generosity Gentleness Helpfulness Honesty Honour Humility Idealism Integrity Joyfulness Justice Kindness Love Loyalty Moderation Modesty Orderliness Patience
Peacefulness Perseverance Purposefulness Reliability Respect Responsibility Self-discipline Service Tact Thankfulness Tolerance Trust
Trustworthiness Truthfulness Understanding Unity
CASS
This programme is designed to give students opportunities for development beyond academics in areas such as personal responsibility, the building of self-confidence, acquisition of new skills and to encourage a balanced lifestyle. It also reflects the school vision of ‘Learn, Inspire, Serve.’ CASS stands for Community, Activity, Sport and Service. The explanations below summarise the big picture for each section:
Community
Volunteering within the school community offers students the chance to make a difference to people’s lives and to use your skills and experience to help the school community.
Activity
Developing a skill helps students get better at something that captures their imagination and gives them the confidence and ability to use this skill both now and later in life.
Sport
Doing physical activity is fun and improves students’ health and physical fitness.
Service
Volunteering within the local community gives students the chance to make a difference to the lives of local people, animals or the environment.
PASTORAL
CARE
As a Lasallian Catholic school, pastoral care is central to our ethos and identity. Our Mission Statement calls for all of us in the SJI International community to work together to enable our children to learn how to learn and learn to live as Lasallian people of others. The Patron Saint of Teachers and the school, St John Baptiste de La Salle, stressed the need for teachers to touch hearts.
In following the lead taken by our Patron, we aim to ensure that our children feel that they matter, are highly valued and loved. We care for our children with the development of the whole person as a high priority. The foundation and inspiration for the care offered to our children comes from a commitment to
Gospel values. Our pastoral systems, through class teachers and our pastoral care team, aims to ensure that each of our children flourishes during their formative years with us.
Our classrooms are the centre of our work in pastoral care with class teachers enabling the establishment of a deeper relationship with each child and their family. The development of social and emotional skills takes place through the IPC units and explicit teaching of a Well-being curriculum. We work pro-actively with our students, using the language of the Virtues ProjectTM to deliver activities and processes that form our broader character education programme.
Academic Year
January to December
School Holidays
Feb : 1 week
Mar/Apr : 2 weeks
Jun/Jul : 5 weeks (Summer holidays)
Sep : 1 week
Oct : 1 week
Dec/Jan : 5 weeks (Christmas holidays)
School Hours
8:00 am - 3:00 pm (Monday to Friday)
Elementary School Admissions
Children must be residing in Singapore with at least one parent who is in possession of an appropriate immigration pass. A child must hold a Dependant’s Pass, a Diplomatic Passport, Singapore Permanent Resident Pass* or a Student Pass.
For details and enquiries, please contact: Elementary School Admissions admissions.es@sji-international.com.sg (65) 6353 9383
* Permanent Residents are required to take Chinese as their second language and will be subject to the Ministry of Education Mother Tongue Language Policy upon admission to Grade 7 in the High School
ADMISSIONS
As a Lasallian Catholic school, in an international setting, our admission principles reflect our aim to ensure a balanced intake for our school which acknowledges our ethos and heritage. We enrol students who are able to fully participate in the life of the school, in accordance with our mission statement. We review all of our applications carefully and seek to enrol students who will embrace our school ethos. Further information regarding our entrance criteria for Mainstream or Bilingual Programme is available on the school website.
We accept applications up to 2 years (24 months) in advance of the desired date of enrolment. Applications are placed in the Admissions Pool for consideration of a place as vacancies arise. All applications are to be submitted through our online Admissions System.
Mainstream Programme
Our main entry point for the Elementary School Mainstream Programme each year is Prep 1 and Prep 2. For all other Grades, places are subject to vacancies.
Bilingual Programme
Places are available in Prep 1, Prep 2, Grades 1, 2 and 3, only for 2025.
Applications for both programmes are assessed against the Entrance Criteria. Applicants who meet the Entrance Criteria will be shortlisted for the admission assessment and interview.
If no vacancies arise, applicants will remain in the Admissions Pool and the application will be automatically rolled over to the next Grade and year until the end of Term 1, Grade 6.
2025 Admissions Placement
We admit children from the year they turn 5, into Prep 1, to the age of 12, into Grade 6. The correct grade of entry will be ascertained by year of birth and last academic grade attained.
490 Thomson Road, Singapore 298191
Telephone: +65 6353 9383
sji-international.com.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School Ltd.
CPE, Co. Reg & GST No. 201009321K
The period of registration is 19/10/2022 to 18/08/2026
Edutrust Singapore Cert No: EDU-2-2134 (Validity: 18/09/2024 to 17/09/2028)
